Members Of Group That Smuggled Pills Draw Sentencing

July 9, 1986|United Press International

MIAMI -- A federal judge said Tuesday he tried to make the sentences fit the circumstances surrounding several men who pleaded guilty to smuggling 1 million South American methaqualone pills to a secluded South Florida cattle ranch.

U.S. District Judge Edward B. Davis sentenced the men to terms between 30 months in jail and 2 years probation for their part in the plot five years ago. All of the defendants had pleaded guilty.

``After considering many factors, including the time that has transpired and the changes in their lives, I have tried to make that reflect in my sentences,`` said Davis.

He then sentenced William Bennett, 43, West Palm Beach, Fla., to 30 months in jail. Bennett faced a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $30,000 fine on charges of conspiracy to import and conspiracy with intent to distribute Qquaaludes.

``I`ve had better days,`` Bennett said, ``but I`ve had a lot worse.``

Robert Gordon, 42, of West Palm Beach, was sentenced to six months in jail and three years probation.

David Williams, 33, and Joseph Mudse, 24, both of Lake Worth, Fla., also got six months in prison and three years probation.

Mudse, Gordon and Williams each faced a maximum sentence of five years and $15,000 on conspiracy to import charges.

Floyd Blair, Sebring, Fla., pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of conspiracy to possess Quaaludes, which carries a maximum penalty of one year and $5,000. Davis sentenced him to two years probation.

Wilson Thomas, 35, of Okechobee, who pleaded guilty in January to one count of conspiracy to import Quaaludes, received two years probation. He faced a maximum of five years and $15,000.

The illicit pills were seized April 28, 1981 after Okechobee County sheriff`s deputies saw vans and trucks driving to the secluded cattle ranch, where an isolated air strip is located.

When the vehicles left the ranch, the deputies arrested six people and seized the contraband.

A state court judge in Okechobee suppressed the seized tablets as evidence in the first trial and dismissed the case.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement continued its investigation. The defendants pleaded guilty after the FDLE probe was given to the U.S. Attorney`s Office for prosecution.

Other defendants who pleaded guilty but have not been sentenced include Paolo Longo, 49, Miami, Dee Wallace, 53, and Jason Cole, 61, both of West Palm Beach, and Andres Camacho and his son Andres Camacho Jr.